Live from Kuwait

Gov. George Pataki just checked in with the press corps from his security-cloaked travels, which took himÂ not to Afghanistan as originally reported, butÂ Iraq.

Speaking live by teleconference from Kuwait to reporters gathered in the Red Room at the Capitol,Â Pataki said he made the trip with several other governors “to thank our troops, our National Guard units, our reserve units, ourÂ active duty soldiers who are putting their lives on the line here in Iraq to protect our American interests, and I can’t tell you how proud I am of eachÂ and every one of them.” He described troop morale as “just tremendous.”

Pataki, whose office said he went to Baghdad andÂ Tikrit, acknowledged the situation in Iraq has deteriorated since power was transferred from the U.S. led coalition to a democratically elected government:

“By allÂ accounts this government is not delivering either theÂ security or the services that the people of Iraq need, and that has got to change. It’s got to change quickly.”

Pataki in particular said the Iraq government needs to defang anti-American Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, whose Mahdi Army militia has been behind much of the country’s sectarian violence.

On issues closer to home, he came out strongly in favor of the Berger commission’s findings that nine hospitals should be closed around the state and dozens more merged, calling the recommendations “tough but necessary,” praising the panel for “an outstanding job,”Â and urging the Legislature to consider the reportÂ seriously.

On the police shooting of a groom on his wedding day in New York City, he voiced confidence that Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Police Commissioiner Raymond Kelly would do a thorough investigation, but added: “Obviously 50 bullets fired at an unarmed individual is excessive force.”

On whether he’s made a decision on running for president:Â “The answer is an unequivocal no, I haven’t made a decision as to what I’m going to do come January 1st.”

And on a legislative pay raise: “I’ve opposed a pay raise. IÂ continue to do that.”